Afternoon Edition: 31 August 2025

The Afternoon Edition of News Fix for 31 August 2025, straight from the Newstalk ZB newsroom - bringing you everything you need to know in news, politics, business, entertainment and sport.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:04):
From the news talks edby Newsroom this is NEWSFACS. In
this update, the government says the increasing police presence is
key to improving community safety. Seven more beat officers will
start patrolling West Auckland in the next few weeks. Data
show there were more than one hundred and fifty thousand
victims of serious violent crimes in the twelve months to May.

(00:24):
That's twenty nine thousand fewer than when national took office.
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says they're committed to keeping that
number down with what they know works. He says their
focus is reducing the number of victims, so the job's
not done. A warning the increase in deaths and hospitalizations
from stimulant overdoses is likely just the beginning. New Drug

(00:45):
Foundation data show almost three New Zealanders die of a
preventable overdose every week. Executive director Sarah Helm says while
an increase in stimulant harm was expected because of an
uptick in use, rates are still worryingly high.

Speaker 2 (01:00):
We've also seen a growth in the number of fatalities
from new and novel substances. A group of called metazines,
which are more potent than fentanyl, have for the first
time shown up.

Speaker 1 (01:11):
A fire investigator has been examining the scene of a
massive fire at a flower nursery in Auckland. Fire and
emergency were called to the blaze east of Kumiu just
before ten last night. Courtney Winter reports at.

Speaker 3 (01:23):
Least sixteen fire appliances were on site at the peak
of the fire. A crew from Hamilton was called to respond,
but was then turned back. There were no reported injuries.

Speaker 1 (01:33):
The cause has yet to be released. A blood moon
lunar eclipses coming up a week tomorrow. From half past
four to half past six next Monday morning, the moon
will enter the reddest part of the Earth's shadow and
turn a shade of red Stardom. Astronomer Josh al Raki
says the event will be visible from anywhere in the country,
but a trip out west could be worth it. You

(01:54):
also want a really clear and obstructive view looking toward
the western horizon, so if you can get down to
the co that's going to be your best conditions. That's news.
In Sport, Wellington bounced back from their shock loss to
Manuwar two with a thirty six seventeen NPC rugby winover
Auckland in Poriure Lion skipper Julian Savia says they're forward,

(02:16):
stepped up in wet conditions.

Speaker 3 (02:18):
Ali down the chones for them. You know, they had
a big job and La in Auckland.

Speaker 2 (02:21):
You know that the boys come through the middle, and
so yeah, I think the boys did that pretty well.

Speaker 3 (02:24):
You know again, we've got.

Speaker 2 (02:26):
To go again next week.

Speaker 1 (02:27):
Warriors women Patricia Maliopo and Lydia tuu Kedley have both
been charged by the NRLW judiciary for a dangerous contact
and a careless high tackle respectively in their loss to
the Dragons. Both could get away with a warning if
they're enter an early guilty plea. New Zealand's Michael Venus
and doubles partner Yuki Bambrie through to the second round

(02:48):
of the US Tennis Open after beating their American opponents
six love, six'. Three that's. Sport I'm Joe. Gilfillan for more,
news listen to news. Talks it'd be live On. iHeartRadio